Michigan’s 60-Foot Christmas Tree Is Headed to Lansing This Weekend
Lansing's about to get a big delivery. And no, it's not from Amazon.
Michigan's official Christmas tree is coming to the Capitol this Saturday, November 7. We're talking a 60-foot spruce from Iron Mountain in the Upper Peninsula. That's roughly the height of a six-story building, which is a lot more tree than I'm willing to wrestle into a stand.
Where Is Michigan's 2026 State Christmas Tree Coming From?
The tree was donated by Larry Riccio and his family. They bought their home back in 1986, when the spruce was already big. Forty years later, it's outgrown the property and is about to become the centerpiece of Christmas in downtown Lansing.
When Will Michigan's Christmas Tree Arrive in Lansing?
According to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, crews will cut the tree this Thursday, November 5, and it will arrive Saturday.
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I already dug into what it takes to haul a 60-foot tree across Michigan, and trust me, it's more involved than tying one to the roof of a minivan.
What Happens When the Michigan State Christmas Tree Gets to Lansing?
When the tree reaches the Capitol, local Boy Scouts will help untie it. Lansing's Hi-Ball Company will use a crane to lift it into position near Capitol Avenue and Michigan Avenue. Then the city's forestry crew will get to work preparing it for decorations and lights.
This will be Michigan's 40th official state Christmas tree, and the 26th to come from the U.P.
When Is the 2026 Silver Bells in the City Tree Lighting?
The big moment comes Friday, November 20, during Silver Bells in the City. They'll flip the switch around 7:30 p.m., and thousands of lights will bring that massive spruce to life.
And that's how we do Christmas in Lansing.
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Gallery Credit: Scott Clow
Christmas Tree Farms via Drone
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